Method of drilling and operating an oil or gas well, a method of preventing or minimizing contamination to the soil about an oil or gas well, using a kit to install, an impervious and reusable liner and apparatus therefor

ABSTRACT

A method of preventing or minimizing contamination to the soil about an oil or gas well, using a kit to install, an impervious and reusable liner and apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present application relates to a method of drilling and operating an oil or gas well, a method of preventing or minimizing contamination to the soil about an oil or gas well, using a kit to install, an impervious and reusable liner and apparatus therefor.

2. Background Information

Background information is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily admit that subsequently mentioned information and publications are prior art.

A well may be created by drilling a hole with a diameter in the range of about five inches to about fifty inches. A drilling rig may be used to drill the hole. The drilling rig may comprise a drill string with an attached drill bit. The drilling rig may rotate.

A well cellar is a pit or hole disposed between the rig floor and the well head, which provides the structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment. A well cellar may be utilized to collect drainage fluids such as water and/or other fluids. Well cellars may be utilized to accommodate auxiliary equipment.

OBJECT OR OBJECTS

An object of the present application may be provide a method of minimizing, reducing, and/or preventing contamination of the soil surrounding an oil or gas well, well cellar, pit, or pit structure.

SUMMARY

When an oil or gas well is drilled, prior to drilling, a cellar is constructed which has a depth of approximately six or more or less feet and a diameter of approximately fifteen feet more or less. The cellar is then lined with a plastic sheet liner which extends from the top of the cellar to the bottom thereof. The plastic sheet liner is sufficiently thick to prevent or minimize damage thereto during operation of the drilling of the well.

In at least one possible embodiment of the present application, a sealing ring may be used or utilized to hold a liner in place in a well cellar or pit structure. The sealing ring may be disposed around the lip of the well cellar or pit structure to hold a liner in place so that the liner is pressed against the wall of the well cellar or pit structure and held firmly in place against the wall of the well cellar or pit structure.

The sealing ring, holding ring, or clamping ring of the present application may comprise a plurality of curved elements. The curved elements may be configured to fit together and may be further configured to be adjustable to fit well cellars or pit structures of various diameters in various embodiments. Each of the curved elements may comprise unthreaded holes and threaded spindles disposed on opposite ends of the curved elements. The unthreaded holes are disposed on end faces of the curved elements. The threaded spindles of one curved element are configured to fit into the unthreaded holes of a second curved element. Upon a threaded spindle of a first curved element being disposed in an unthreaded hole of a second curved element, a nut disposed on a threaded spindle of the first curved element may be adjusted on the threaded spindle of the first curved element until the nut abuts the end face of the second curved element. This adjustment of nuts may permit the diameter of the sealing ring of the present application to be increased, decreased, or otherwise adapted as desired.

The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will be described further herein below. When the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” includes “inventions” or “embodiments of the invention”, that is the plural of “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”. By stating “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present application is explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a plurality of three curved segments which are designed to fit together to form a sealing ring including holes and end faces;

FIG. 2 is another photograph of a plurality of curved segments which are designed to fit together to form a sealing ring, including threaded spindles, spindles, and handles;

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a sealing ring disposed in a well cellar or pit structure;

FIG. 4 is another drawing of a sealing ring disposed in a well cellar or pit structure;

FIG. 5 is a photograph of an unsealed well cellar or pit;

FIG. 6 is a photograph of an unsealed well cellar with containment disposed thereon;

FIG. 7 is a photograph of cut containment disposed over an unsealed well cellar;

FIG. 8 is a photograph of cut containment being adhered to a solid member;

FIG. 9 is a photograph of a finished containment edge;

FIG. 10 is a photograph of closed cell foam being disposed against a corrugated well cellar wall;

FIG. 11 is a photograph of curved elements disposed to form a sealing ring;

FIG. 12 is a photograph of locking bolts and/or threaded spindles being adjusted and/or locked into place;

FIG. 13 is a photograph of the sealing ring of the present application being suspended and disposed in a well cellar;

FIG. 14 is a photograph of the bolts and/or threaded spindles being tightened to expand the diameter of the sealing ring of the present application and to seal the well cellar; and

FIG. 15 is a photograph of a sealed well cellar, which well cellar is sealed using the sealing ring of the present application.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

According to FIG. 1, there are shown three essentially one hundred twenty degree curved elements 10, 12, and 14, which are designed to fit together to form a sealing ring, holding ring, and/or clamping ring, and also to hold a liner in a secure position within the area at the top of the well. These elements 10, 12, and 14 are configured to line the pit structure of the well and hold the liner firmly in place to prevent or at least minimize mud and oil from escaping into the soil surrounding the pit. In order to hold the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 in place during assembly thereof, there are a number of support elements 16 and 18 which suspend the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 from the surface of the soil around the pit. The support elements 16 and 18 each have a corresponding first, bottom portion 16 a and 18 a, which is rectangular in cross section, which cross section is greater than the cross section of top portions 16 b and 18 b to strengthen the support elements 16 and 18 and also to facilitate welding of 16 a and 18 a to its corresponding curved element 10, 12, or 14. The top portions 16 b and 18 b are round in cross section, which cross section permits the top portions 16 b and 18 b to be bent in any direction with essentially the same degree of force in order to conform the top portions 16 b and 18 b to the area about the well cellar. Each of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 comprises a corresponding end face 10 a, 12 a, and 14 a on one end of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14. Each of the end faces 10 a, 12 a, and 14 a comprises two holes 24 and 26.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 comprises two threaded spindles 20 and 22 extending from the end of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 opposite the end faces 10 a, 12 a, and 14 a. The threaded spindles 20 and 22 are configured to fit into the holes 24 and 26 as shown in FIG. 1. The holes 24 and 26 are sufficiently large in diameter and not threaded, allowing the threaded spindles 20 and 22 to enter these holes 24 and 26 unobstructedly. The nuts 28 and 30 shown in FIG. 2 are configured to be pressed against the end faces abutting the holes 24 and 26, thereby expanding the diameter formed by the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 against the upper portion of the plastic sheet liner in order to press the plastic sheet liner into the wall of the pit and hold the plastic sheet liner firmly in place against the wall of the pit.

The threaded spindles 20 and 22 are welded to spindles 40 and aligned on these spindles 40 such that the threaded spindles 20 and 22 are parallel or substantially parallel. The spindles 40 have handles 42 connected to each of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 such that the threaded spindles 20 and 22 can have their position adjusted during insertion of the threaded spindles 20 and 22 into the holes 24 and 26, which are disposed in an adjacent end of another one of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14. A tool 44 which may be used to install the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 is shown.

FIG. 3 shows a well cellar or pit with a liner made of elastic sheet 32 extending from the top 34 of the well pit down the sides of the pit and down to the bottom of the pit 38, covering of the pit. A drilling rig as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,987,904 may be placed above the pit and extending downwardly through the center of the bottom 38 of the pit. The curved elements 10, 12, and 14 are shown installed in the pit and suspended by the support elements 32 and 34 of each of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, a top view of the pit is shown with the three curved elements 10, 12, and 14 installed therein. Upon installation, the curved elements 10, 12, and 14, are shown holding the plastic sheet liner in place against the inner wall 36 of the pit.

By holding the plastic sheet liner 32 in place during drilling of the well, any leakage of mud or oil will be deposited on top of the elastic sheet liner 32 where the mud or oil can easily be pumped out and not contaminate the soil around the pit or well.

Upon the drilling operation being complete or stopped for a length of time by withdrawing the drilling equipment from the drilling site, the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 can be removed, thus allowing the liner 32 to be removed from the pit. In the event of further drilling in such a well where the liner has been removed, the same liner or a new liner could be installed, which would permit the continuation of a drilling operation. Alternatively, the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 could be assembled on the area beside the well cellar with the help of the tool 44, which may have a strap which could hold the segments 10, 12, and 14 together upon the segments 10, 12, and 14 being placed in the well cellar. Once the segments 10, 12, and 14 are in place and at least pushing against the walls of the pit, the tool 44 can be removed or left in place to hold the segments together upon subsequent removal.

The size of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 would be determined by the need for stability of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 in installation and functioning to hold the plastic sheet liner in position during a drilling operation. Also, the roughnecks who are conducting the drilling may also use the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 as a step to enter the pit. Therefore, the strength, that is, the thickness and height of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 would have to be sufficient to support a number of roughnecks using the installed curved elements 10, 12, and 14 as steps used for entering and leaving the pit. The spindles 20 and 22 also must be sufficiently strong to perform the operation of installing the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 and the stress of roughnecks working in the pit from disturbing the location of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 for the same reasons as discussed immediately above. Further, the thickness and strength of the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 should not be so heavy that installation becomes difficult for the installers such as the roughnecks.

The three curved elements 10, 12, and 14 are one embodiment disclosed in the present application, but there may be other embodiments which have a greater or smaller number of curved elements, such as, but not limited to, two, four, or even a greater number which would form a kit, similar to the kit described herein having the three curved elements 10, 12, and 14, to accomplish the minimization of contamination of the soil during and after drilling of an oil or gas well.

In one possible embodiment of the present application as shown in FIG. 5, a well cellar 31 or pit 31 may be contained or sealed by first laying a sheet of containment 32, comprising a material such as rubber and/or plastic and/or elastic, around and/or over the well cellar 31 or pit 31, as shown in FIG. 5. Also shown in FIG. 5 is a well head 33. The bottom 38 may comprise metal, and the wall 36 may comprise corrugated metal. The bottom 38 may be connected to the wall 36 in order to minimize leaks such as by welding.

Once the containment 32 is disposed over and/or around the well cellar 31 or pit 31, the containment 32 may then be cut with radial cuts to fit the size of the well cellar 31 or pit 31, as shown in FIG. 6. For example, the containment may be cut into substantially V-shaped pieces 32 a or substantially pie piece-shaped flaps 32 a.

Next, the flaps 32 a may be secured or anchored to a solid membrane 35. The flaps 32 a may be folded up and away from the wall 36 so that a solid membrane 35 may be disposed between the wall 36 and the flaps 32 a, as shown in FIG. 7. Once the solid member 35 is disposed against the wall 36, the flaps 32 a may then be flipped back over, so the flaps 32 a are disposed in the well cellar 31 or pit 31. Then the flaps 23 a are seamed to make a solid and continuous and/or substantially continuous and leakproof and/or substantially leakproof membrane 35 with the sheet 32 by adhering the solid member 35 and the flaps 32 a together to form a containment edge 37, as shown in FIG. 8. A finished containment edge 37 is shown in FIG. 9, where the solid member 35 and flaps 32 a have been cemented together with for example plastic adhesive.

FIG. 10 shows the following step in the process of sealing a well cellar or pit. Closed cell foam 39 is disposed against the cellar wall 36 and between the cellar wall 36 and the containment edge 37. In one possible embodiment of the present application, the closed cell foam 39 may provide a seal between the corrugated wall 36 and the containment sheet 32. In an alternative embodiment, a seal may be formed by using other materials such as sealants instead of foam to prevent or substantially prevent or minimize leakage from the pit 31 into the soil or area around the pit 31.

As shown in FIG. 11, the curved elements 10, 12, and 14 are assembled with the support elements 16, 17 18 attached thereto. Once the foam 39 is in place and the solid member 35 and the flaps 32 a are disposed in front of the closed cell foam 39, the cellar cap and/or sealing ring is assembled, as previously disclosed in the present application. The locking bolts 20 and 22 and/or threaded spindles 20 and 22 may be adjusted and locked into place or welding, as shown in FIG. 12.

Next, the cellar cap and/or sealing ring, comprising the curved elements 10, 12, and 14, may be installed into the pit 31 or well cellar 31, as shown in FIG. 13. The support elements 16, 17, and 18 may support the sealing ring and/or cellar cap as the sealing ring and/or cellar cap is being installed into the well cellar 31 or pit 31. The support elements 16, 17, and 18 may be removably fastened to the curved elements 10, 12, and 14, for example by screws. The diameter of the sealing ring and/or cellar cap may be expanded and/or adjusted in order to press the plastic sheet liner 32 into the wall 36 of the pit 31 or against the closed cell foam 39 and hold the plastic sheet liner 32 firmly in place against the wall 36 of the pit 31. The diameter of the sealing ring may be appropriately adjusted by tightening the bolts 20 and 22. The bolts 20 and 22 may be tightened to expand the diameter of the sealing ring and to compress the sealing ring and/or cellar cap into a tight seal or substantially tight seal, as shown in FIG. 14.

The support brackets 16, 17, and 18 may then be removed from the sealing ring and/or cellar cap, as shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 15 also shows a tightly sealed or substantially tightly sealed well cellar 31 or pit 31.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about a oil well and/or a gas well, said method comprising the steps of: digging a well cellar for a gas or oil well; lining said well cellar with a liner and extending the liner to at least the uppermost portion of said well cellar; installing a kit comprising: at least three arcuate members configured to hold said liner within said well cellar; each said arcuate member comprising at least two threaded studs with nuts disposed on a first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least two holes disposed on a second end of each said arcuate member opposite said first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least one support element configured to support each said arcuate member from the level of the soil disposed about said well cellar; said method further comprising the steps of: disposing said at least three arcuate members about said well cellar; suspending each of said arcuate members from its at least one support element; pressing said arcuate members against said well cellar wall; inserting said threaded studs, from a first arcuate member, into said holes in said second arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from a second arcuate member, into said holes in said third arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from said third arcuate member, into said holes in said first arcuate member; adjusting said nuts on said threaded studs and tightening said arcuate members against said liner and pressing said liner against said wall of said well cellar until said liner is firmly and permanently pressed against said wall of said well cellar thereby minimizing slippage of said liner in said well cellar; disposing a drilling rig above said well cellar and commencing drilling for oil and/or gas; collecting drilling mud and/or oil from said drilling in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar; and removing said drilling mud and/or said oil from said well cellar upon and excessive accumulation of drilling mud and/or oil in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about a oil well and/or a gas well, said method comprising the steps of: digging a well cellar for a gas or oil well; lining said well cellar with a liner and extending the liner to at least the uppermost portion of said well cellar; installing a kit comprising: at least three arcuate members configured to hold said liner within said well cellar; each said arcuate member comprising at least two threaded studs with nuts disposed on a first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least two unthreaded holes disposed on a second end of each said arcuate member opposite said first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least one support element configured to support each said arcuate member from the level of the soil disposed about said well cellar; said method further comprising the steps of: disposing said at least three arcuate members about said well cellar; suspending each of said arcuate members from its at least one support element; pressing said arcuate members against said well cellar wall; inserting said threaded studs, from a first arcuate member, into said unthreaded holes in said second arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from a second arcuate member, into said unthreaded holes in said third arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from said third arcuate member, into said unthreaded holes in said first arcuate member; adjusting said nuts on said threaded studs and tightening said arcuate members against said liner and pressing said liner against said wall of said well cellar until said liner is firmly and permanently pressed against said wall of said well cellar thereby minimizing slippage of said liner in said well cellar; disposing a drilling rig above said well cellar and commencing drilling for oil and/or gas; collecting drilling mud and/or oil from said drilling in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar; and removing said drilling mud and/or said oil from said well cellar upon and excessive accumulation of drilling mud and/or oil in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of drilling a gas well while minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about a gas well, said method comprising the steps of: determining a location for the drilling of a gas well; digging a well cellar at said location for a gas well with substantially vertical walls and a substantially flat floor; lining said well cellar with a liner and extending the liner about the soil around the well cellar a substantial distance from the wall of said well cellar at least at the uppermost portion of said well cellar and minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about the gas will; installing said lining with a kit comprising: at least three arcuate members configured to hold said liner within said well cellar; each said arcuate member comprising at least two threaded studs and nuts configured to be disposed on a first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least two holes disposed on a second end of each said arcuate member opposite said first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least one support element configured to support each said arcuate member from the level of the soil disposed about said well cellar; said method further comprising the steps of: threading said nuts onto said threaded studs on each of said arcuate members; disposing said at least three arcuate members about said well cellar; suspending each of said arcuate members from its at least one support element; pressing said arcuate members against said well cellar wall; inserting said threaded studs, from a first arcuate member, into said holes in said second arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from a second arcuate member, into said holes in said third arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from said third arcuate member, into said holes in said first arcuate member; adjusting said nuts on said threaded studs by moving said nuts on said threaded studs and tightening said arcuate members against said liner and pressing said liner against said wall of said well cellar until said liner is firmly and permanently pressed against said wall of said well cellar thereby minimizing slippage of said liner in said well cellar; forming at an opening at the bottom of said liner and pushing a conductor pipe into and through said opening and into the soil below the bottom of said liner; welding an extension ring to said conductor pipe; sealing the area at said extension ring to prevent or minimize seepage of drilling mud and oil the between said extension ring and said liner into the soil beneath said bottom of said well cellar; disposing a drilling rig above said well cellar and commencing drilling for gas; using said arcuate members as a step for entering and exiting the well cellar; collecting drilling mud and/or oil from said drilling in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing said drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar; and removing said drilling mud and/or said oil from said well cellar upon an excessive accumulation of drilling mud and/or oil in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar by said drilling mud and or oil from overflowing said well cellar and/or leaking into the soil at the bottom of said well cellar.

The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possible embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.

The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the technical field is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the technical field of this patent application. However, the description of the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.

The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background information for this patent application. However, the background information may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the object or objects is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the object or objects of this patent application. However, the description of the object or objects may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein.

The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately summarize this patent application. However, portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, published patent applications, and other documents which are included in this application and which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Some examples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possible embodiment of the present application . . . ” may possibly not be used or useable in any one or more embodiments of the application.

The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published patent applications and other documents either incorporated by reference or not incorporated by reference.

Some examples of drilling muds which may possibly be utilized or adapted for use with at least one possible embodiment of the present application may possibly be found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,262, having the title “High performance water-based drilling mud and method of use,” issued on Mar. 3, 2009; U.S. Pat. No. 7,514,389, having the title “High performance water-based drilling mud and method of use,” issued on Apr. 7, 2009; U.S. Pat. No. 7,799,741, having the title “Drilling mud containing hydrophobin,” issued on Sep. 21, 2010; U.S. Pat. No. 7,192,907, having the title “High performance water-based drilling mud and method of use,” issued on Mar. 20, 2007; U.S. Pat. No. 7,320,951, having the title “Silica-based drilling mud comprising glycoside lubricants with amino-linked alkyl chains,” issued on Jan. 22, 2008; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,043, having the title “High performance water based drilling mud and method of use,” issued on Dec. 14, 2004.

Some examples of drilling rigs and methods of drilling which may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the present application may possibly be found in one of the following U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,207, having the title “MOBILE LAND DRILLING RIG AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION,” issued on Oct. 16, 2010; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,855, having the title “DRILLING RIG HAVING A COMPACT COMPRESSOR/PUMP ASSEMBLY,” issued on Jan. 3, 2006.

The following U.S. patents are herein incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety except for the exceptions indicated herein: U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,593, having the title “OILWELL LEAK CONTAINMENT APPARATUS FOR A COMPLETED OILWELL,” issued on Sep. 11, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 7,637,692, having the title “SEALED WELL CELLAR,” issued on Dec. 29, 2009; U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,940, having the title “PROTECTION METHOD,” issued on Mar. 2, 1976; U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,775, having the title “DIKE ASSEMBLY,” issued on Aug. 23, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,220, having the title “MEMBRANE LINER FOR CASINGHEAD OF OIL WELL OF THE LIKE,” issued on Mar. 24, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,244, having the title “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTAINING FLUIDS AROUND A WELLHEAD,” issued on May 18, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,506, having the title “SPILL COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR WELLHEADS,” issued on Jul. 20, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,920, having the title “MEMBRANE LINER FOR CASING HEAD OF OIL WELLS AND THE LIKE AND METHOD OF USE THEREFORE,” issued on Dec. 16, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,108, having the title “FLUID SPILL CATCHING, CONTAINING, COLLECTION AND RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR WELLHEADS,” issued on Aug. 15, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 8,127,837, having the title “SEALED WELL CELLAR,” issued on Mar. 6, 2012; and No. Re. 35,272, having the title “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LINING LANDFILLS, RESERVOIRS, HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL SITES AND THE LIKE,” issued on Jun. 11, 1996.

Any and all of the patents, patent applications or patent publications, except for the exceptions indicated herein, listed in the present application are herein incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety except for the exceptions indicated herein. The purpose of incorporating U.S. patents, Foreign patents, publications, etc. is solely to provide additional information relating to technical features of one or more embodiments, which information may not be completely disclosed in the wording in the pages of this application. However, words relating to the opinions and judgments of the author and not directly relating to the technical details of the description of the embodiments therein are not incorporated by reference. The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the above-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describe technical features of one or more embodiments of the patents, patent applications, and patent publications, are not considered to be incorporated by reference herein.

All of the references and documents cited in any of the documents cited herein, except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein. All of the documents cited herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patent applications and publications cited anywhere in the present application.

The description of the embodiment or embodiments is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the embodiment or embodiments of this patent application. However, portions of the description of the embodiment or embodiments may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the embodiment or embodiments are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of this patent application. However, the title may not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, the description of the embodiment or embodiments, and the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b):

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The embodiments of the invention described herein above in the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the invention to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about a oil well and/or a gas well, said method comprising the steps of: digging a well cellar for a gas and/or oil well; lining said well cellar with a liner and extending the liner to at least the uppermost portion of said well cellar; installing a kit comprising: at least three arcuate members configured to substantially conform to the sides of said well and to hold said liner within said well cellar; each said arcuate member comprising at least two threaded studs with nuts disposed thereon on a first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least two holes disposed on a second end of each said arcuate member opposite said first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least one support element configured to support each said arcuate member from the level of the soil disposed about said well cellar; said method further comprising the steps of: disposing said at least three arcuate members about said side of said well cellar; suspending each of said arcuate members from its at least one support element; pressing said arcuate members against said well cellar wall; inserting said threaded studs, from a first arcuate member, into said holes in said second arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from a second arcuate member, into said holes in said third arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from said third arcuate member, into said holes in said first arcuate member; adjusting said nuts on said threaded studs and tightening said arcuate members against said liner and pressing said liner against said wall of said well cellar until said liner is firmly and permanently pressed against said wall of said well cellar thereby minimizing slippage of said liner in said well cellar; disposing a drilling rig above said well cellar and commencing drilling for oil and/or gas; collecting drilling mud and/or oil from said drilling in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar; and removing said drilling mud and/or said oil collected by said liner in said well cellar upon an excessive accumulation of drilling mud and/or oil in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar.
 2. A method of minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about a oil well and/or a gas well, said method comprising the steps of: digging a well cellar for a gas or oil well; lining said well cellar with a liner and extending the liner to at least the uppermost portion of said well cellar; installing a kit comprising: at least three arcuate members configured to hold said liner within said well cellar; each said arcuate member comprising at least two threaded studs with nuts disposed on a first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least two unthreaded holes disposed on a second end of each said arcuate member opposite said first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least one support element configured to support each said arcuate member from the level of the soil disposed about said well cellar; said method further comprising the steps of: disposing said at least three arcuate members about said well cellar; suspending each of said arcuate members from its at least one support element; pressing said arcuate members against said well cellar wall; inserting said threaded studs, from a first arcuate member, into said unthreaded holes in said second arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from a second arcuate member, into said unthreaded holes in said third arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from said third arcuate member, into said unthreaded holes in said first arcuate member; holding said arcuate members in said well cellar with a tightening tool while tightening said nuts; adjusting said nuts on said threaded studs and tightening said arcuate members against said liner and pressing said liner against said wall of said well cellar until said liner is firmly and permanently pressed against said wall of said well cellar thereby minimizing slippage of said liner in said well cellar; disposing a drilling rig above said well cellar and commencing drilling for oil and/or gas; collecting drilling mud and/or oil from said drilling in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar; and removing said drilling mud and/or said oil from said well cellar upon and excessive accumulation of drilling mud and/or oil in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar.
 3. A method of drilling a gas well while minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about a gas well, said method comprising the steps of: determining a location for the drilling of a gas well; digging a well cellar at said location for a gas well with substantially vertical walls and a substantially flat floor; lining said well cellar with a liner and extending the liner about the soil around the well cellar a substantial distance from the wall of said well cellar at least at the uppermost portion of said well cellar and minimizing leakage of oil and/or drilling mud into the soil about the gas will; installing said lining with a kit comprising: at least three arcuate members configured to hold said liner within said well cellar; each said arcuate member comprising at least two threaded studs and nuts configured to be disposed on a first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least two holes disposed on a second end of each said arcuate member opposite said first end of each said arcuate member; each said arcuate member comprising at least one support element configured to support each said arcuate member from the level of the soil disposed about said well cellar; said method further comprising assembling said arcuate members by following the steps of: threading said nuts onto said threaded studs on each of said arcuate members; disposing said at least three arcuate members about said well cellar; suspending each of said arcuate members from its at least one support element; pressing said arcuate members against said well cellar wall; inserting said threaded studs, from a first arcuate member, into said holes in said second arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from a second arcuate member, into said holes in said third arcuate member; inserting said threaded studs, from said third arcuate member, into said holes in said first arcuate member; adjusting said nuts on said threaded studs by moving said nuts on said threaded studs and tightening said arcuate members against said liner and pressing said liner against said wall of said well cellar until said liner is firmly and permanently pressed against said wall of said well cellar thereby minimizing slippage of said liner in said well cellar; forming at an opening at the bottom of said liner and pushing a conductor pipe into and through said opening and into the soil below the bottom of said liner; welding an extension ring to said conductor pipe; sealing the area at said extension ring to prevent or minimize seepage of drilling mud and oil the between said extension ring and said liner into the soil beneath said bottom of said well cellar; disposing a drilling rig above said well cellar and commencing drilling for gas; using said arcuate members as a step for entering and exiting the well cellar; collecting drilling mud and/or oil from said drilling in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing said drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar; and removing said drilling mud and/or said oil from said well cellar upon an excessive accumulation of drilling mud and/or oil in said well cellar and preventing or minimizing drilling mud and/or oil from contaminating soil about said well cellar by said drilling mud and or oil from overflowing said well cellar and/or leaking into the soil at the bottom of said well cellar.
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said assembling being done by one of (A) and (B), where (A) and (B) are: (A) assembling said segments adjacent said well cellar and then placing said segments in said well cellar with the aid of a tool configured to hold said segments together; and (B) assembling said segments in said well cellar.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members.
 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members.
 8. The method according to claim 3, wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said assembling being done by assembling said segments adjacent said well cellar and then placing said segments in said well cellar with the aid of a tool configured to hold said segments together.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said assembling being done by assembling said segments in said well cellar.
 11. The method according to claim 2, wherein said assembling being done by assembling said segments adjacent said well cellar and then placing said segments in said well cellar with the aid of a tool configured to hold said segments together.
 12. The method according to claim 2, wherein said assembling being done by assembling said segments in said well cellar.
 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members; assembling said segments adjacent said well cellar and then placing said segments in said well cellar with the aid of a tool configured to hold said segments together.
 14. The method according to claim 10, wherein said segments comprise substantially 120 degree arcs configured to complete a round support for said liner and comprise hollow metal curved members; assembling said segments in said well cellar. 